Wimbledon steeped in tradition
Intern reports from London
BY CHLOE TUGWELL SOUTH JETTY INTERN

CHLOE TUGWELL

[Editor's note: Chloe Tugwell, who will be a senior at Port Aransas High School in the fall, is spending the summer in England with her father, Mark Tugwell, who is director of outside broadcast at SIS Outside Broadcasting Lmt., formerly part of the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), which now works in partnership with the BBC to do outside filming. The PAHS senior attended first round matches at Wimbledon with her father and submitted the following story and photos. The daughter of Ginny and Harry Shaw of Port Aransas, she will intern with the South Jetty during her senior year.]

LONDON -- Wimbledon: the epitome of classic tennis. The experience includes the classic English drink, Pimms, the classic English snack, strawberries and cream, not to mention the classic white tennis uniform that kit out the hundreds of players who grace the courts. We all know whom to look at for the finalists, but that doesn't stop us from holding our breath for the latest 18-year-old hot shot -- especially if he is from the great nation where the tournament is held.

STAFF PHOTO BY CHLOE TUGWELL Centre Court action Novak Djokovic, the No. 3 ranked tennis male player in the world, serves in a first round match at Wimbledon.

However, it is still the three great men of Wimbledon that we gnash our teeth, bite our nails and clasp our fists for: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Through the first round we see them demolish their unseeded opponents, with a few minor scares to see them compete in the higher rounds for one of the most glorious titles in tennis.

As they play, the crowds cheer on their loves as their own. "Come on Roger!" is often heard throughout the stands in a thick British accent as well as the classic, "Come on, my son," acknowledging the fact that the great tennis player has crossed into the British family, even if he is from Switzerland.

These moments are why the fans come to see the great sporting event.

The tennis is spectacular, of course. Federer with his quick graceful movements; Leyton Hewitt with his passion and never-give-up attitude; and, of course, Andy Murray with his up and coming eagerness as the British hope.

However, since this incredible display of tennis can be seen at any tournament around the world, it is the atmosphere that trumps any forehand, backhand, serve or volley the players can cook up during the two weeks. Simply being able to wander the grounds of Wimbledon, Pimms in one hand, strawberries and cream in the other, puts other tennis tournaments to shame.

There is something about seeing players in their dazzling whites, fans in their, well, let's just say "range" of outfits, the linesmen and women in their khaki trousers and blue blazers and, of course, the ball boys and girls in their uniforms that makes Wimbledon such a fantastic event to witness.

Then there is Henman Hill. Even with Tim Henman having retired and joined the BBC's commentary staff, there is no taking away his glory at Henman Hill, although there was unfortunately little of it. The fans may be ready to let Murray take over on the courts, but it should not be allowed to happen on the grounds. Henman was a huge part of Wimbledon for many years, and his years of loyalty to the British should be remembered in the marks of Henman Hill, not Murray's Mound.

No matter the name, it is still a place of amazing spectacle where fans can sit, with Pimms and strawberries and cream, of course, and watch the action of the main courts on the big screen. These fans must be applauded more than any others. They cannot simply buy their tickets. They must first enter a ballot to buy tickets; if they do not get chosen by ballot, they must line up for the tickets. However, as any die-hard tennis fan can tell you, it's not that simple to line up for ground tickets at Wimbledon, as they must be bought on the day of the match.

Therefore, they line up the night before in tents and sleeping bags, enduring the unpredictable British weather, and wait to get onto the grounds of Wimbledon -- an experience to say the least.

Wimbledon is now, and forever will be, known as high society tennis. The white clad players, the blue blazered linesmen and the classic Pimms and strawberries and cream allow every fan to enjoy a spot of luxury in the form of a day of tennis.